The Great Gatsby
John Harbison
About this work:
(Published by Associated Music Publishers)
Commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the debut of James Levine
World Premiere: 20 December 1999, Metropolitan Opera, New York City
First published in 1925, F. Scott Fitzgerald's magnificent portrait of the Jazz Age -- in all its idealism, hopes, excesses, nostalgia, and decadence -- remains one of the most widely read novels in American literature.
The Great Gatsby tells the story of the rise and fall of self-made millionaire Jay Gatsby and his love for Daisy Buchanan, married to the rich, brutish Tom. Gatsby’s neighbor on Long Island is Daisy's cousin Nick Carraway, a young stockbroker. They are linked at first only by proximity and background -- two veterans of the Great War arrived from the mid-West to seek their fortunes. The lavish scenes of Gatsby's parties contrast with the intimate, intricate web of the relationships of the main characters, whose reckless actions turn an American dream into something more akin to a Greek tragedy.
For further information, please contact:
Associated Music Publishers
257 Park Ave South, 20th floor
New York, NY 10010
Phone: 212 254-2100
Fax: 212 254-2013
E-mail: schirmer@schirmer.com
Year composed: 1999
Duration: 02:40:80
Ensemble type: Opera/Theater:Opera, More than One Act, with Chorus
Instrumentation: 3 Flute, 2 Oboe, 1 English Horn, 2 Clarinet, 1 Bass Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 1 Soprano Saxophone, 4 Horn in F, 3 Trumpet, 3 Trombone, 1 Tuba, 1 Timpani, 3 Percussion (General), 1 Piano, 1 Strings (General), 1 Harp, 1 Banjo, 1 Soprano, 2 Mezzo-Soprano, 2 Tenor, 1 Baritone, 1 Bass-Baritone, 2 Bass, 1 S, 1 A, 1 T, 1 B
Instrumentation notes: Stage Band: solo violin; cl(ssx), tpt, tbn, tba, perc(trap set), pf, bjo